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Juilliard and New York Festival of Song Present "Harry, Hoagy, and Harold" on Wednesday, January 13, 2016, at 7:30pm in Juilliard's Peter Jay Sharp Theater. Featuring the Music of Harry Warren, Hoagy Carmichael, and Harold Arlen Performed by Singers from Juilliard's Marcus Institute for Vocal Arts Wednesday, December 9, 2015

President Obama signed into law the Every Student Succeeds Act, reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and replacing No Child Left Behind. National Association for Music Education (NAfME) and National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), Chairman Alexander, Ranking Member Murray, Chairman Kline, and Ranking Member Scott are commended for their efforts to compete work on this important legislation.

More than 140,000 Music Educators and Music Supporters Celebrate the Passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act, Elevating Music as a Stand-Alone Subject

“Music matters.” That is the resounding message coming from the Senate’s passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) [S.1177] on Tuesday, December 9, 2015, with a vote of 85 to 12. “This reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) is more than seven years overdue,” noted Christopher Woodside, Assistant Executive Director of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). “More historic is that for the first time ever, music is enumerated in federal statute as a stand-alone subject, explicitly listed among the components of a well-rounded education for all students.”

Renowned Mezzo-Soprano Marilyn Horne to lead annual series of master classes and recitals from January 19–23. The series features six public events, including master classes led by Ms. Horne, Mezzo-Soprano Stephanie Blythe, and Baritone Sir Thomas Allen; plus a closing concert, the Marilyn Horne Song Celebration, on Saturday, January 23.

The Dublin-based band, who started playing together as teenagers and have steadily marched their way into rock history, have donated $2.13 million (€2 million) to make sure that Irish children have access to music education. In September of this year, U2 announced $2.13 million (€2 million) from their Irish concerts would be gifted to Music Generation, which provides access to high quality, subsidized music tuition for thousands of children and young people across the country.

As educators plan for the 21st century, there’s a big push to focus on STEM subjects. Some parents and teachers worry this will come at the expense of the arts but the town of Foxboro is making sure that isn’t happening there. As you watch these children gather instruments and focus their attention you might mistake this for a conservatory of music. But these are 5th graders at Ahern Middle School in Foxboro where music is at the center of the school.

More than a dozen middle and elementary school students beat out the rhythmic tunes of Zimbabwe-inspired ballads and popular Christmas songs at the Festival of Trees at Valley River Inn on Sunday afternoon.

Directors who make a Difference

For over 20 years, School Band & Orchestra Magazine has been honoring amazing music educators from all 50 states. That's more than 1000 educators recognized for their outstanding contributions to music education programs!

Do you know a fantastic K-12 instrumental music educator who is deserving of recognition in SBO? Tell us why he or she should be featured in SBO’s annual "Directors Who Make a Difference" report.